ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the implementation of youth participatory research methods aimed at understanding how young people develop critical media literacy to enhance political engagement and activism. Grounded in the premise that youth are experts in their lived experiences, this research adopts a collaborative framework, positioning young participants as co-researchers. Through case studies conducted in Norway, Germany, and Austria, a variety of participatory techniques – including focus groups, autoethnographic workshops, and community engagement activities – were designed to elicit nuanced insights into young people's media interactions and political participation. The chapter highlights the importance of aligning research methods with the interests and cultural contexts of participants, and how different media materials can be used as tools to ensure meaningful engagement. The chapter describes both the complexity and challenges of planning and composing participatory research processes to enhance youth participation in research.
